Results of revision stapedectomy for conductive hearing loss

Revision stapedectomy operations performed over a 13-year period (1977 to 1990) for a conductive hearing loss are reviewed in terms of intraoperative findings and hearing results. All operations were performed in a conventional manner without use of laser techniques. A management algorithm based on intraoperative findings is described. Results are compared with previously reported series. The 66 cases include 20 males and 46 females, ranging in age from 8 to 73 years. Mean time between original and revision stapedectomy was 12.5 years. Prostheses encountered at time of revision included wireloop (29), Robinson (18), polyethylene (14), other (3), and two were not found. The most common cause of failure was displacement of the prosthesis. Incus erosion was found in 48% of wireloops, 35% of polyethylene, and only 11% of the Robinson prostheses. Revision resulted in closure of the pure-tone average (PTA) air-bone gap to within 10 dB in 46% and to within 15 dB in 76%. Sensorineural hearing loss (> 10 dB) occurred in 5 cases (7.6%), and a decline in speech discrimination (> 10%) occurred in 17%. Three of four cases requiring drillout had gap closure to within 10 dB. Findings suggest that our management technique produces results comparable to other large reported series. Drillout at the time of revision can be recommended.